Oregon is expected to make recommendations next year to improve fire protection based on an analysis by the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association of the city’s fire-rescue department.

“This is something we asked for because we wanted to know what are the best ways to make sure that Oregon is providing the best possible fire protection,” said City Administrator Mike Beazley. “We’ve had the same general approach to fire protection for many decades, and we want to make sure as the community changes, we’re ready to make changes.”

The city asked the Association to look at several aspects of the department, including whether the city has an adequate number of fire stations in the right locations, the proper equipment, whether resources are being deployed efficiently, and whether response times should be improved.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will hold an information session and public hearing Sept. 28 as part of the application for a water quality certification for a pipeline project that will cross through 14 Ohio counties, including Wood, Lucas and Sandusky.

Kinder Morgan has filed the application for the Utopia East Pipeline project.

The public meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Ross High School, 1100 N. Street, Fremont. The EPA will present details about the application and accept comments from the public.

Planners of a major clean-up of the Toussaint Creek anticipate seeking contract bids next month.

A 34-mile stretch of the creek – through Wood, Sandusky and Ottawa counties – will be cleared of logjams and leaning trees in a project that began with a petition submitted in 2014 to Wood County officials.

According to Mike Libben, program administrator for the Ottawa Soil and Water Conservation District, the estimated cost is $850,000 to $900,000.

With a renewal levy looming on the November ballot, residents of the Woodmore School District are being asked for their opinion on the district’s operations, including the curriculum, athletic programs, staffing levels and finances.

The 16-question survey is available on the district’s Facebook page or at school offices.

Superintendent Jay LeFevre is asking that the surveys be completed by Sept. 30.

“We are striving to be accountable, transparent and fiscally responsible to our families and stakeholders, and we need to hear from you about how you feel we are doing,” he writes in the introduction to the survey.